BACKGROUND: The risks in pregnancy to the developing fetus result in cerebral palsy after delivery. Therefore, the study on etiology of cerebral palsy should transfer to biological field of embryonic development and stress on multi-factor analysis on relevant environment of pregnant mother,hereditary factors and relevant diseases.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the main risks of incidence of infantile cerebral palsy.DESIGN: Pair design at ratio of 1:2 and Logistic regression analysis of multi-factors were applied.SETTING: Prevention Medical Research Room of Jiamusi University and Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Harbin Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 103 cases of infantile cerebral palsy were collected from Jiamusi Treatment and Education Center of Cerebral palsy,Shanyang Pediatrics Hospital and Qingdao Pediatrics Hospital from December 2002 to September 2003, of which, 68 cases were male and 35 cases were female. The guardians were in the know and agreed with the investigation. The pair principle at ratio of 1:2 was adopted, based on which, 206 cases of sick children with non-cerebral palsy and disorders in neurological system and healthy children treated at same period in the hospitals were collected as the control. The match conditions in the control were same sex, same nationality and difference in age ± 3 months.sy and healthy children was self-designed. The investigated items included mainly: Factors before delivery (hereditary factors): family history of similar disease; mother's factor: general situations, such as occupation, educational background and age of delivery; behavioral factors of birth: including times of pregnancy, times of delivery and abnormal delivery; healthcare and nutrient in pregnancy: such as examination before delivery and intakes of various foods; sickness or abnormal manifestations in pregnancy: including pathogen infection, pregnant syndromes and vaginal bleeding; medication in pregnancy, fetal placents factors: such as neck winding, mass weight of birth, twin pregnancy, factors during delivery (complications in delivery,methods of delivery) and neonatal factors (various kinds of disorders in neonates). Questionnaire of investigation was performed by looking-up medanalysis was done on single factor and multi-factors. The factors that presented statistical significance in single-factor analysis, significant difference (P ＜ 0.05) and P value near to 0.05 were adopted to establish the model of multiple Logistic regression of main risks of cerebral palsy and conditional Logistic regression analysis was carried on.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis on the effects of factors before delivery, during delivery and in neonatal phase on incidence of cerebral palsy.RESULTS: Totally 103 cases of cerebral palsy and 206 cases of healthy factors: Occupation of mother was associated with cerebral palsy. Worker and age ≥34 years were the risks of cerebral palsy (OR=13.333, 2.864,eating fish and sea products in pregnancy, pre-delivery body temperature,mass weight of birth ＞ 4 000 g and pregnant weeks of 37 to 42 were the protective factors of cerebral palsy (OR=0.028-0.576, P ＜ 0.05-0.01); abnormal delivery history and vaginal bleeding in pregnancy were the risks of ery: Apgar score and caesarian section were the protective factors of cerebral palsy (OR=0.458, 0.343, P ＜ 0.01); forceps delivery and delivery with oxytocin were the risks ofcerebral palsy (OR=16.338, 2.116, P ＜ 0.01,of newborn and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage were the risks of cerebral sion analysis: Forceps delivery was the highest risk (OR =70.668) and the sequence risk degree from high to low was asphyxia of newborn, elder age of pregnant mother, vaginal bleeding in pregnancy and abnormal mass weight of birth (OR=19.083-4.138, P ＜ 0.05-0.01). Eating fish and sea products in pregnancy and caesarian section were the protective factors (OR=0.324; 0.262, P ＜ 0.01, 0.05).CONCLUSION: Risks of cerebral palsy are mainly focused on pregnant period and perinatal period. It is suggested to prevent and eliminate actively various risks of cerebral palsy before, during and after delivery (such as forceps delivery, asphyxia of newborn, elder age of pregnant mother,vaginal bleeding in pregnancy and abnormal mass weight of birth) so as to reduce the incidence rate of cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVECryptorchidism is the most common urogenital congenital malformations in males, which increases male infertility and testicular tumors. It is necessary to identify its risk factors.

METHODSA hospital-based case-control study was conducted. Cases were 99 boys with cryptorchidism with two matched controls per case were randomly selected. Both cases and controls were interviewed with a uniformed questionnaire by face to face. Conditional logistic regression model was used for univariable and multivariate analysis by SAS6.12 computer software was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95 per cent confidence internals (95% CI).

RESULTSMultiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that cryptorchidism was positively associated with maternal common cold accompanied fever in the first trimester (OR = 9.37, 95% CI: 2.25 - 39.09), with threatened abortion in the first and/or second trimester (OR = 4.66, 95% CI: 2.02 - 10.74), maternal preeclampsia during pregnancy (OR = 16.33, 95% CI: 1.40 - 191.20), paternal exposure to pesticides occupationally (OR = 12.79, 95% CI: 2.90 - 56.43), neonatal low birth weight (OR = 5.77, 95% CI: 1.39 - 23.98), and maternal age under 24 years (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.29 - 4.06).

CONCLUSIONSThe risk factors of cryptorchidism were maternal common cold accompanied fever in the first trimester, threatened abortion in the first and/or second trimester, maternal preeclampsia during pregnancy, paternal exposure to pesticides occupationally, neonatal low birth weight, maternal age under 24 years.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cryptorchidism ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Paternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Risk Factors

Objective To understand the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV/AIDS and influencing factors;and provide evidence to improve the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS for the better life of the patients.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in designated AIDS hospitals in Harbin.A questionnaire was used to collect the information of the patients receiving treatment in these hospitals.The statistical analysis was done with software SAS 9.2 and Excel 2010.Univariate analysis was performed with t test and multivariate analysis was performed with ordinal logistic regression model.Wilcoxon ranks sum test was conducted to compare the CD4+ T lymphocyte counts.Results The number of the patients receiving antiretroviral therapy was in increase in recent years.The HIV infection route was mainly homosexual contact.The CD4 +T lymphocyte count of the patients increased at different levels after ≥6 months treatment (P＜0.01).Household income (P＜0.05),adherence to treatment plan or not (P＜0.05),social relationship (P＜ 0.05),concern of economic cost (P＜0.01) medication compliance (P＜0.01) and initial level of CD4 + T lymphocyte (P＜0.01) were the influencing factors for antiretroviral therapy efficacy.Conclusion In designated hospitals in Harbin,the number of the patients receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy kept to increase and the efficacy of the treatment was obvious.

OBJECTIVETo explore the heritability of body mass index (BMI) in twins across different regions and genders in China.

METHODSA total of 11 122 adult twin pairs from the Chinese National Twin Registry were interviewed. A structural equation model was used to estimate the heritability of BMI.

RESULTSThis study included 6 226 monozygotic twin pairs and 4 896 dizygotic twin pairs, with the age range as 25-85 (39.0 ± 10.8) years. Under stratified analysis by region, results showed that the highest and lowest rates on heritability of BMI in men were seen in Tianjin and Zhejiang, as 67.8% (95% CI: 50.1%-85.8%) and 42.1% (95% CI: 27.2%-60.9%), while in women were seen in Sichuan and Heilongjiang as 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0.0%-31.7%), respectively. Results from the stratified analysis showed that, by gender, the heritability of BMI in men was higher than that in women from the same region. The biggest differences of heritability of BMI between men and women were seen in Heilongjiang as 55.3% (95% CI: 35.5%-80.0%) and 11.2% (95% CI: 0-31.7%), while the smallest differences were seen in Sichuan as 61.5% (95% CI: 40.7%-86.4%) and 56.2% (95% CI: 47.5%-70.0%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe heritability of BMI across different regions and genders showed certain differences in the Chinese twins.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Body Mass Index ; China ; Cities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Registries ; Twins, Dizygotic ; genetics ; statistics & numerical data ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo understand the change trend of birth weight of twins in China from 1995 to 2012.

METHODSA total of 10 827 twins born between 1995 and 2012 registered in national twin registry system in 8 provinces in China were included in this study. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the change trend of twin's birth weight.

RESULTSMean birth weight of twins decreased by 0.01 kg every five years after adjusting sex, ovum type and place of birth (P = 0.041). The birth weight decreased both in superior twin and in inferior twin over time. After 2007, the birth weight of superior twin decreased by 0.008 kg each year, while the birth weight of inferior twin decreased by 0.014 kg each year. Mean relative difference in birth weight and birth weight discordant rate decreased before 2002, then increased from the lowest point 8.16% and 16.20% to highest point 9.99% and 22.40% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe birth weight of twins in China decreased between 1995 and 2012, while the birth weight discordant rate increased, suggesting that close attention should be paid to the discordance of twin body weight to reduce the risk of adverse health outcome.

Birth Rate ; Birth Weight ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; Twins

Objective: To analyze the heritability of diabetes among the Chinese twin adults. Methods: A total of 10 253 same-sex twin pairs aged 25 years and older, were selected from the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) program. Heritability of diabetes was calculated by using the structural equation model. Results: After adjusted for age and gender, the overall heritability rates of diabetes were 0.41 (0.15-0.75), 0.83 (0.72-0.91) and 0.34 (0.04-0.73) in the <45 and ≥45 years twin pairs, respectively. After adjusted for age, rates of heritability appeared as 0.37 (0.05-0.78) and 0.88 (0.79-0.94) in men and women, respectively. Conclusions Diabetes is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. The genetic effect of diabetes seemed stronger on female than that on male twins but was dying down along with ageing.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the associations between birth weight and overweight/obesity among children.

METHODSA total of 8 267 twin pairs younger than 18 years old from the Chinese National Twin Registry were included in the study. Associations between birth weight, childhood BMI and overweight/obesity were explored by this co-twin control study.

RESULTSAfter adjusting for sex and zygosity, when birth weight had an increase of 0.5 kg per fold, the OR values for overweight and obesity were 1.87(95%CI: 1.40-2.48) for 2-6 year olds, 1.69 (95%CI: 1.16-2.46) for 6-12 year olds and 1.28 (95%CI: 0.80-2.07) for 12-18 year olds.

RESULTSfrom the stratified analysis in the 2-6 year-olds, statistically significant differences were seen. When birth weight increased 0.5 kg per fold, the risk of overweight and obesity increased by 0.87 times among the dizygotic twins, more than that of the monozygotic twins (OR=1.86, 95%CI:1.24-2.81). The risk for male twins was 1.12 times higher than that of female twins (OR=1.65, 95%CI:1.11-2.44).

CONCLUSIONSBirth weight seemed associated with overweight and obesity for kids at early childhood or at age for schools. However, guidance on the implementation of public health interventions is still needed on these children.

Adolescent ; Birth Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; ethnology ; Overweight ; ethnology ; Registries ; Risk ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic

Candida albicans is the most abundant fungal species in oral cavity. As a smart opportunistic pathogen, it increases the virulence by switching its forms from yeasts to hyphae and becomes the major pathogenic agent for oral candidiasis. However, the overuse of current clinical antifungals and lack of new types of drugs highlight the challenges in the antifungal treatments because of the drug resistance and side effects. Anti-virulence strategy is proved as a practical way to develop new types of anti-infective drugs. Here, seven artemisinins, including artemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, artemisinic acid, dihydroartemisinic acid, artesunate, artemether and arteether, were employed to target at the hyphal development, the most important virulence factor of C. albicans. Artemisinins failed to affect the growth, but significantly inhibited the hyphal development of C. albicans, including the clinical azole resistant isolates, and reduced their damage to oral epithelial cells, while arteether showed the strongest activities. The transcriptome suggested that arteether could affect the energy metabolism of C. albicans. Seven artemisinins were then proved to significantly inhibit the productions of ATP and cAMP, while reduced the hyphal inhibition on RAS1 overexpression strain indicating that artemisinins regulated the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway to inhibit the hyphal development. Importantly, arteether significantly inhibited the fungal burden and infections with no systemic toxicity in the murine oropharyngeal candidiasis models in vivo caused by both fluconazole sensitive and resistant strains. Our results for the first time indicated that artemisinins can be potential antifungal compounds against C. albicans infections by targeting at its hyphal development.
Animals ; Mice ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis, Oral/drug therapy* ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology* ; Hyphae ; Artemisinins/pharmacology*